by Lang, Chloe
Deepening his tone, he said, “Did you forget about my rule about questions, pet?”
“I’m sorry.”
Knowing the risk but unable to resist, he bent down and kissed her cheek. It would be so easy to move to her lips, but he wouldn’t—couldn’t. “You rest. If you need me, I’ll be in the other room.”
“Yes, Master.”
His cock jerked painfully in his jeans. Shit! I’m in so much trouble.
Chapter Four
Jessie woke up, and realized she was alone in Master’s soft bed. He was talking, but she couldn’t make out the words.
She slipped out of the bed, and touched the collar he’d given her. It felt cool to the touch. She didn’t have any clothes and thought about using the blanket as a makeshift robe, but she didn’t think Austin would like that. So, she didn’t.
Tiptoeing to the closed screen divider, she listened intently.
“When?” Austin asked in a quiet tone.
No answer. He was talking on his cell, no doubt. They were still alone. Relief filled her up.
“Bastard.” Austin’s tone was hushed but filled with indignation. “I can’t believe Paul King sliced up his own wife. She was a good woman. What kind of crazy fuck is he?”
Jessie thought about opening the screen. She didn’t, believing Austin might curb his words. Instead she remained all ears, hoping to hear more.
“Denver, is the Sheriff certain he’s not in the area?”
Jessie’s heart leapt in her chest. Austin was talking to Denver. Were Jackson, Phoenix, and Dallas on the other end of the phone line, too?
“You guys keep me posted. Anything turns up, I want to know about it.” He paused. “She’s fine.”
Denver was asking about her, and that made her feel good. Austin, on the other hand, didn’t seem into her at all…at least not sexually. Sure, he’d given her the most amazing orgasms of her life, but he hadn’t made a single move to fuck her, and he’d spent the entire night away from her. All Jessie’s dreams about spending time with him to change his mind were starting to crumble.
“Count on it. If Paul King comes within three hundred yards of this place, I’ll blow his head off.”
Though Jessie wasn’t sure if Austin desired her or not, he cared for her enough to, at the very least, want to keep her safe. That meant so much to her, and she bolstered up her resolve to meet whatever he had in store for her. I might fail, but by God, I’m going to show him I’m worth staying for.
“No. I’m not taking her to my tree. That’s too exposed. We’re staying inside until I know Paul has been found.”
Jessie had been to his tree with his brothers. She wondered what it would be like to be there with Austin. Quite different, no doubt.
The tree was the same one that he’d been tied to by Paul King and the banker when they were all boys. Could the scars from that event be the reason he wanted to leave Wilde and his brothers? Made sense to her.
What if his demons never went away even into adulthood though he’d used the very same tree to take back his power? The more she considered that, the more an idea formed. She needed to get him to open up to her. That wouldn’t be easy with most men, but with one like Austin—next to impossible. Still, it was the only glimmer of hope she could latch on to. Somehow she had to succeed. But how?
“No, you can’t talk to her.”
Talking to Denver would be wonderful, but Austin had made it clear that wouldn’t happen with any of her cowboys while she was under his care.
“Jessie already knows I’m talking to you, Denver. She’s eavesdropping on our conversation.”
Her heart jumped up in her throat, and a shiver ran down her spine. He knew she’d been listening all the time.
“Anything at all, bro, you call me. Later.”
Jessie wasn’t sure if she should jump back in the bed and feign sleep, or if she should open the screen and face his wrath. Instead, she didn’t move a muscle. With only the collar on her neck, she spotted gooseflesh popping up on her arms.
“Are you going to keep crouching in my bedroom like a little girl caught with her hand in the cookie jar, or are you going to be a brave sub and come in here?”
She gulped and opened the screen. “A brave sub, Master.”
His lips curled up, creasing his cheeks, making his face look even sexier. “You got spunk, pet. That’s for sure.” Austin sat on a wooden bench. He patted the spot beside him. “Come sit here.”
She walked over and sat down.
He reached out and touched the little ring on her collar. “You hungry?”
“Yes, Master.”
“I’m no Phoenix, but I can whip up a pretty mean breakfast. You like sausage, eggs, and toast?”
She nodded.
“Good.” He stroked her cheek, and his gaze made her warm. “You’re going to need your strength for what I’ve got planned for you today.”
She could feel little aches, throbs, and warmth from last night’s round, and wondered how she was going to survive a full week with this cowboy—Dom.
He stood up. “Follow me.”
They walked into his very neat kitchen. Everything was stainless steel. There were no cabinets, only open shelves. That would’ve never worked in her kitchen in DC. She needed, not one, but two junk drawers. At one time, she’d thought about having glass doors put on, but reconsidered after Michael, her ex, pointed out the disarray of her pots and pans. Austin’s shelves were nothing like that. They were orderly and functional.
He pointed to a thick blanket in the corner of the kitchen, out of the way of the work triangle. “That’s for you, pet. I put that there while you were sleeping. Whenever we’re in the kitchen, I want you on it.”
“Thank you, Master.” She went to the soft, fluffy quilt. Stretching out on her stomach, Jessie put her elbows on the floor, clasped her hands together, and rested her chin on her fists. She looked up at Austin, who stared at her intently. What was he thinking?
She wiggled just a bit on the comfy blanket, hoping to entice him.
“Keep that up, and you won’t have breakfast.”
“I’m not that hungry for food, Master.”
“Sweet little liar.” He shook his head, and then started to make breakfast. “Tell me about yourself, Jessie.”
He wanted to know more about her, and that thrilled her. “How do I start?”
“From the start.” Austin pulled out a carton of eggs and sausage patties from his refrigerator.
“Okay. Did you know I was engaged?”
“I heard you were. Gay guy, right?”
“Yes, Michael. He’s really great.”
Austin put a skillet on one of the burners on his stove and turned on the gas flame. He placed the meat into the pan, and Jessie heard it start to sizzle. “I heard he delivers a pretty good punch.”
“I guess so. He’s a mess but very loyal. Especially to me.”
“Good to know. You like coffee, pet?”
“Oh, yes.”
He punched a button on the pot, and the coffee began brewing. She got a whiff of the sausage, and her stomach growled.
“So, who broke it off? You or your ex?”
“I suppose I did after he told me he was gay.”
“I heard about your dad and boss fighting it out at Norma’s. What was all that about?”
“Denver didn’t tell you?” she asked.
“My brothers have been really secretive about you, Jessie. So, the answer is no. He didn’t. I can tell it shook you pretty hard. Tell me everything about that.”
She wondered why he seemed so interested in knowing. Was there a chance he might already be considering a future with her? I’m getting way ahead of myself. Whatever the reason he kept asking, whether it was to pass the time while he made breakfast or it was something more, she would keep answering. Perhaps he would begin opening up to her, too.
“There were pictures sent to both my dad and boss.”
“What kind of pictures?”
“Explicit
pictures.” The thought of her dad and boss seeing those sickened her, but thankfully both had only looked at some of the racy photos but not any of the sexual ones.
His tone turned hard. “Why would my idiotic brothers take pictures of you and not make sure they were locked away?”
“I’m not sure how Paul King got them, but there were other pictures, too. Ones he’d taken without my knowledge.”
“Where?”
“Some were of me and Denver in the parking lot of The Masters’ Chambers. Others were of me with Phoenix and Jackson at your tree. There were more, but I don’t remember.” Again, she wondered about his tree and what it meant to him.
“You didn’t lose your job over those pictures?”
“No. Turns out that my boss, Lee Carpenter, is actually my dad.” She still needed time to process that little tidbit.
“That’s quite the bombshell.” He sounded genuinely concerned.
“Yes, it is.”
“You’re smart. I have no doubt that you’ll handle all you’ve learned perfectly.”
“I hope so.” The whole thing about her boss and dad still felt strange.
“Cream? Sugar?”
“Both, Master. Thank you.”
Austin poured coffee into a blue mug, and poured in the additional ingredients. “Did your dad know?”
“My mother confessed it to him during her chemo shortly before she died.” Jessie shifted up into a sitting position.
Austin handed her the mug. “That must’ve been a shock to him, pet.”
“Probably.” She took her first drink of the coffee. It tasted wonderful. “Thank you, Master.”
Austin went back to the stove to continue making breakfast. “Your dad kept that from you for a long time. How did that make you feel?
“He changed after that. I was young and didn’t know the reason. I wish he’d told me then.”
“Maybe he couldn’t.”
“Perhaps.” She sipped her coffee. The warmth felt good going down. “I’m glad the truth is out now. We can move on and renew our relationship.”
“What about your boss?”
“I’m still not completely sure about all of this, but I feel like I’ve finally gotten my dad back. In time, maybe Lee can be like another dad to me. Tell me what it was like growing up with three dads.”
Austin didn’t answer, but continued his work.
Still hoping to peel back some of his layers, she timidly pressed on. “Your mom is really sweet.”
“She is,” he stated candidly.
Austin took the sausage out of the pan and placed it on a paper towel on a plate to drain off the grease. Then he put three eggs into the skillet and popped a couple of slices of bread into a shiny toaster. “How do you like your eggs, pet?”
The aroma of the sausage raised her appetite. “Over medium, please.”
He nodded and continued his work. Answering questions was clearly not his norm, but she needed to know more about him.
“Pappy Jack is quite a character. He sure did love your grandmother. What was she like?”
“Very sweet.”
“Tough, too, I hear. Kept him and your other granddads in line.”
Austin walked over carrying a plate of deliciousness. She reached for the dish, and he pulled it back. “I’ll be serving you the first bites, pet.”
“Yes, Master.”
He knelt down and cut off a bit of the sausage patty and then stabbed it with the fork. He held it to her mouth. “Taste.”
She parted her lips, and he pushed the meat into her mouth. He pulled the fork back, leaving the morsel on her tongue. It tasted heavenly.
“How is it, pet?”
“Mmm.” She swallowed. “Perfect. Thank you, Master.”
He handed her the plate. “Eat up.” Touching the ring on her collar, his wicked gaze went up and down her body. “Like I said, you’ll need your strength.”
Again, she wondered what he had in mind for her. Would he take her back into his dungeon or to his tree? “Yes, Master.”
Austin pulled a chair up next to her blanket. He drank coffee and watched her.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked.
“Don’t worry about me, Jessie. Finish your breakfast.”
She nodded, realizing he’d called her by name. Little tingles of wonder vibrated through her. At first she thought about asking him why he hadn’t used the nickname he’d chosen for her, but then thought better of it. Austin wasn’t the kind of man who liked to be quizzed. So, she devoured the meal he’d made for her instead.
Fully satiated and not a single crumb on her plate, she looked up at the cowboy she was trying to win. His fixed stare thrilled and unnerved her.
“More coffee, pet?” He stood and took her plate.
“Yes.” She handed him her empty mug. “Thank you.”
“Tell me more about yourself, Jessie.” He placed the dish next to the sink and then refilled her mug with coffee, cream, and sugar.
“I’m an only child. I envy you having so many siblings, Master.”
“You wouldn’t if you’d grown up with them.” He handed her the fresh cup.
“You prepared breakfast. I should do the dishes.”
He snorted. “You’re too much. No, pet. I’ve got more important things in mind for you. Save your strength.” He turned and began cleaning up.
“What were they really like?” She took a sip of her coffee.
“They were great. The best brothers a man could have.”
“They’re still wonderful.” So, it wasn’t his brothers that kept him from being in a plural marriage. Logically, that left only one person to blame. Me. The thought flattened her out. Was this week with Austin an act of futility?
“What’s wrong, pet?” he asked, drying his hands.
“Nothing,” she lied.
In a flash, he stepped next to her blanket and glared down at her. He didn’t say a word, but his face spoke volumes.
“Sorry, Master. It’s just…I…don’t know.”
“Give me your cup.”
Trembling, she said, “Yes, Master.”
She handed him the half-full mug. He placed it on the counter behind him.
He ordered, “Now, stand up.”
With her heart picking up speed, Jessie obeyed.
He flicked the ring on her collar. “You feel this collar around your tiny neck?”
“Yes, Master.”
“It means I’m in control, not you. You understand that?” His tone stung her.
She squeaked, “I do.”
“I will not tolerate lies.”
Nodding, she looked down at her feet.
She felt him cup her chin, nudging her to look at him.
“Tell me, sub.”
“It’s hard to say.” Her lips trembled. She was afraid to confess her deepest insecurities. Sure, his brothers overlooked her curves, but what if he liked the model type? Or worse, what if it was something about her personality that put him off? She couldn’t bear hearing that from him. Best to not know how he felt about her, even if she did have a pretty good suspicion.
“Denver thinks he trained you to be a good sub? Let me show you what real training is.”
He linked his index finger to the ring in her collar and led her back to the dungeon.
“I’m sorry, Master.”
“I know. You’re blocked and holding back. I’ll fix that. I promise.” He sounded so matter of fact, so certain—so in control.
When they got into his dungeon, Jessie realized he’d changed things around. The table he’d restrained her upon last night was no longer in the center of the room. In its place was a strange looking piece of furniture. The seven-foot-high upright triangle intimidated Jessie right off. The wood was smooth. There were a couple of boards that crisscrossed the frame on the lower half. It almost looked like art to her. At the top point were two wrist cuffs, and an ankle cuff decorated each of the bottom points.
“This is my A-frame, pe
t. I think you’re going to like what I’ve planned for our first session today.”
First session? How many did he have in mind?
In a flash, Master pulled her to the triangle. He put his hand on her back and pushed her forward until everything below her waist pressed against the boards. Nerves popped to life inside her, and a tingle began deep in her pussy. The top support board hit her just below the belly button, leaving her upper body open to the back. Next, he lifted her hands up and placed them together in the cuffs above her head. He spread her legs wide and attached them to the bottom points of his A-frame. The stance was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. She wondered if she could endure whatever it was Austin meant to do to her? Her safe word floated to the surface, but she vowed not to use it. She wanted to surprise him by what she could take. Perhaps doing so might change his mind about her. God, I hope so.
Master came around back and looked at her. “You held the truth from me, pet. You must be punished for that.”
“Yes, Master.” Every nerve fired to life inside her.
He placed a blindfold on her. Then she listened to the tap of his boots on the floor as he went back to the other side of the triangle. She felt his hand glide up and down her back, and shivers popped up everywhere on her body.
Being spread out for Austin’s whim made her feel so vulnerable and feminine. Her heartbeats thudded, and sweat layered her skin. She heard him shuffling behind her, and she wondered if he was changing into his leather vest. The image of his muscles bulging popped into her mind, and her clit began to throb.
“I’m going to begin with my TENS unit, pet. Do you know what that is?”
“No, Master.”
“TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and is used by doctors for pain management therapy. I will use it for something very different for you. Unlike the ones you might see in hospitals, mine doesn’t have pads that are placed on the skin but does have rounded electrodes. Where do you think I’m going to place them, pet?”
She gulped. “Inside me.”
“Smart sub. Yes, in your pussy and in your ass. Just imagine what a blast of electrical output will do to those sensitive areas in you, pet.”
She felt him apply lube to her anus with one hand while fingering her pussy with the other. Soon, she was writhing in her restraints. Then he stretched her out, and she felt him put in the little electrodes of the TENS unit.
